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Good Sunday welcome to the show for making so much for joining us today from your vote moniker here. Coming up doctors he repeated it. It was such as he'd been associated. Cancer patients who take a look at the history of pain management and who noted the lessons learned and solutions for the future. Lots and a big increase in new. Well shall we unfortunately. Yeah I'm great how great health tackling people feel like crisis and how the organization is helping those with addiction during the Mardi Gras season. We hear so much about the all feel like epidemic not only in the New Orleans area that around the country as well we're going to take a look. How do we get to where we nine more importantly how do we help those who or indeed not just individually but their families and the community as well. We're joined by doctor Karen jolly. And doctor jolly is a pain management specialist he's also most importantly I health care onto the north so we'll talk about that as well. That the jolly thank you for joining us. They're human confusion pleasure. Will we think about how this all began I think most recently we think of the 1980s but recent she knows that even after the civil war. This whole issue of pain management and some type of prices. Also emerged. Yeah you know on the nailed it and you know it's a really interesting story you don't need to sharing it with you so way. It really started way way back whenever civil war where veterans were cutting back from the war efforts are being treated wood morphine. On the field and he actually got addicted to morphine. And the beer company had this great idea when he came back deep thought they could going to in the cheaper alternative. So they started marketing early and and we don't know how that turned out great at. So it keep it kept on going on to the fifties and sixties and seventies where it really became a real problem I mean people were addicted to medications same way that you're seeing right now. The problem is. If the had a real backlash. Doctors when they're treating patients eighties. There was such a stigma associated with pain medications that they didn't want to prescribe that even for cancer patients. And so what end up happening and eighties was the World Health Organization which is a branch of the United Nations. Really meant to be there for world health care. She tried to make it okay. For doctors to prescribe medications. For cancer patients can you imagine with the quality of life was given to be like all that suffering. That's exactly it means so we were getting way better. Act treating patients with their actual illness but what was the quality that we were keeping them if they hacked suffering pain so eventually. Doctors kind of understood he said okay fine we'll prescribe medications for cancer patients that patients like that. On and in fact would end up happening is is that. Pain as a fifth vital sign came about. And the idea was look we do a really good job at hospitals that treat patients but we don't do was get the job treating pain in their quality of life. But it kind of went a little bit too far and now there's no stigma. Bombed the manufacturers of drug companies are promoting these things and it's really kind of becoming pretty infant. And so watt what led to this latest epidemic in Europe and you know we hear all sorts of things and I think Caroline might be at the corner again so well once really let it too close to where we are now so. Oates hit it its two main things the first is is that. Really drug manufacturers have been promoting these kind of medications are safe alternatives colonel I eight or was heroin was promoted to seaport turning to morphine. They're promoting this you know I mean I'm in the early two thousands. Drug manufacturers were allowed to quit market tricked consumers. And everybody started to Quincy OK look I need to feel better. That's the first and the second thing. Perhaps more importantly is the fact that there's no longer stigma associated with these medications the fact of matter is is that there was a recent study. Of teenagers. We are teenagers to all that pain medications where we're more safe. Then other illicit drugs even marijuana. Once that becomes kind of rampant in prevalent if they were doing the responsible thing by taking pain pills instead something else. And is it because we just didn't Knoll are no one thought to. Think about it all the way through US to what this would have immediately. That it's okay to have these pain medications and be in the public for substance except of them being OK you're absolutely without any question so. It's not been an issue anymore when you Qyntel somebody when you tell your neighbor you tell your friend or anybody else hey I have to take the pain pill. Right I mean it's not even an issue because no one looks at you as if you're abusing medications or do things like that. In really the problem is is that there's a lot of the diction that's associated with and that's really at the heart and core of what's going on here. We're talking about OpenId addiction epidemic how'd we get from there to here and how to illegal forward we're joined by. Pain specialist and health care entrepreneur doctor Karen jolly given us some very interesting and and thought provoking. History and look at where we are. So is it just the combination of we don't wanna feel pain. Are in the in addition to. These things being available for us and it's okayed its. Well well I think that you use summarized kind of how we got here that's exactly what it is. But I think did more provocative question is how do we get out of here right in yes and it and he can even going to start to tell us. A little bit about what's the cause of everything look there's three main things that are happening first of all. What ends up happening is that we're not treating pain. In the proper manner. Outside of just pain medications. When patients know that all we have to do is take uphill. To get better. That unwilling to do that therapies and more innovative pay to practices to make your pain go away need to start there if we don't treat their pain. I qualified specialists that know how to do so without using pills that patience never gonna want to get rid of that medication. Writes that very first. The second step is is we need to get better at identifying addiction. We have to Gwen use the latest technologies. In the days genetic testing players. Drug screening there's all sorts of technologies that are available. Identify addiction before it gets to be too late. And last of all need to get better at treating addiction the practice is that someone who's on these medications or sees themselves. Behaving in demeanor that's deteriorating health care. Needs to know their place they do is help out here and there are technologies that make them better. And the second what you are making about getting better at detecting its soul you know other than heredity I mean how do we know we're predispose to addiction. Yes that's pinching. You know it's not just addiction with painful straight in Munich B addiction with anything he diction with alcohol or other drugs or or. You mean food which is something that we see a lot more of them here in New Orleans right. But but the real fact is is that. You just need to queen bee where you need to quit have qualified specialists but the real challenge here and is. The people that are really good at identifying the action. Are not given access these patients as often as you'd like so usually it's counselors. And to people that. Are in the mental health industry going identified as lot quicker and sooner. And unfortunately our health care system chest doesn't allow patients to seed and that's often has been each what are some of the other therapies and even interventions that can address pain and have this feeling OK I don't think anyone says I wanna beef pain free forever putt. Just the helper from an attack and that's a great question so look. I'm looking mission specialists and so they have tons of therapies everything from the you know physical therapy T tens units to. More experienced interventions that include not only injections but even things like spinal cord stimulation that can blame it really alleviate patients' pain. So those are some of those technologies that are available through pain management specialist. But vendors and there's new innovative therapies that are coming out in slightly tamper resistant drugs. Back to doing is developing they have a whole new virtual reality augmented reality system that. You know again net to glean is developing right now two really help these patients combat their addiction. And how are patients starting to feel about where they are I mean again we would Leonid the point where we didn't feel bad about taking this medication. Almost almost at a point where I pray to god. I don't have to take it is I don't know I I don't know I'm some kind of afraid because I don't know if I'll become addicted you know and and I'm missing out on some good treatment I need it. You don't think that's the first step though right you do need to quit have a little bit of respect. For how scary. Illness can be. And the pain medications when you don't have any kind of caution. You're a lot more likely just going take it and not quit thinking about it but the fact that. There is a level of fear and that's good to come on I actually believe that that's gonna win that kind of encourage patients to Quincy help or at least be looking for those signs and symptoms. Not even in yourself that even and people around you right if somebody else he see your friend hear you're neighbor is on the pain medication you see that there. Looking drowsy allot more often appear you know I mean just not in it all the time. Or you see him just misbehaving. When their own these medications your life more likely to queen either encouraged them to seek help or seek help for them which I believe we really need to do as a community. We're joined by doctor Karen jolly and doctor jolly is with the Louisiana pain specialist. And also of a pain management specialist and a health care entrepreneur nor and I'm fascinated by this whole. Industry health care occupant terrorism what is that really all about. The act actually very exciting and so it Dino in New Orleans we've got a really good job of the last putt 101520 years of developing this nice. Onto the Muriel ecosystem. You know I mean we have the buy an aviation center that have here locally we have all the work and Michael Hecht is gone and in lowering industry here. And it's really exciting because we have these young. This vibrant community that stern develop our own on terrorism and it really allows Ford to business community. To invest in health care needs of a community and so it's insisting because. You know I kind of have one foot in both worlds. On one side I'm really kind of promoting that idea that and the physician and the ports are by physician and an understanding health care and the needs of patients. But on the other side also had a very successful career and investing in multiple businesses and on and in growing and and I'm hoping that we are able to going to develop this this ecosystem. Where we kind of married two together. We're really the business community and in the resource is that are available to the business community are able to when invest in health care needs to better community as a whole benefits. Where do you think of future lies I am a start actress and I'll watch it an act of love how they discuss is that BUN you know there's no major diseases and if you perk is cell leader in. But do that. Or will we get to that ours is always going to be with those some type of illness or disease and they're just going to figure out some innovative ways to help people feel better moniker that is such a fabulous question and I wish I wish that we could do to start tracking yeah. I am gonna be gone in but that really where the future lies is more preventive. Then reactionary in fact you know you actually have hospitals on all the cost at least right now that are that are actually it's. Dealing calendar emergency rooms instead. Kind of stealing all your ability to Kwon do preventive medicine look. Genetics and you have a lot to Quinn do this right ride if we get really really good. At picking out what kind of illnesses here and EP disposed to. We can help prevent those things from happening look a very simple example is is that if we knew that you were predispose to diabetes we could quite how you say Monica outlook. Very very early meal which it going take a lot of suites and we don't want you to do a lot of those things right. The same way if we're talking about that appeared epidemic and an addiction if we knew before hand somebody was pre disposed to addiction. We would piece so much more cautious and be so much more careful in how we treat those patients in the front. So how do we get to that point because oftentimes you'll have the conversation will it runs in my family runs in our family and we still need the sugar we still have the cake. So is there a way that we can go beyond just kind of gone a wealth you know grandma my Hough had its August I'll have a two to be really pro active so we can prevent some of these hardship. You know I think I think that absolutely. If you know that people in your family had an addiction history or anybody your and we suffering from this. Or even a pain history. He should Quincy got a professional and the real fact of the matter is is that there are those individuals that are available there but really for the future in these technologies. Have to be encouraged by the patients by the community. And then you have to talk to your insurance carriers have to Gwen kind of want that need because. It's not gonna going to happen on its own deal has to be some sort of grounds that says. Look if there's a technology out it could help me technique the better. IE deserved the right to get better. And that's why we're reaching out to business communities here are saying to them look if these technologies are available. That's Quinn made sure that patients actually see them did they actually are able to when benefit from them. And that's tough is help you sells so optimistic. Are you. Absolutely look in medicine defect matter is is that we we believe in the nature. Every individual to have the best care for themselves as they possibly can and we're putting an age where information is literally. Doubling. Every few weeks every few months you know and so appears to weigh more access than there's ever been. And actually believe that the future is bright if. We knew how to teach business communities. In helping. General. Thank you for being lead has been joined by looking for no apparent on the fascinating athletes. Did you learn the. We continue our conversation on. BI addiction crisis here in our area and of course it's just a problem around our country. We're joined by sales slipped Peterson and she is the CEL a brick house grace house how do we help people who really. Can't help themselves are really need some extra treatment because they have no permanent home or even a lack of insurance. Kelso thank you for being with us we'll thank you so much for maintenance and does it surprise you howled huge at this. Epidemic has gotten among nearly three talk about OP I'd addiction but it really is a full blown crisis that what people. Actually succumbing to that overdose death that even murder in our area as well. Well it is quite a remarkable that we have these numbers and I do think and anyone would be surprised at the amount of overdose and death we've experienced. In the greater New Orleans area over the last few years I don't think anybody really could've been prepared for this. And do you think that there are you know many ways to deal with and and and very happy to say that. We are on doing our part I hope. And collaborating with the city as well. To try and address Theo Theo a crisis and so the city it is on the city's radar. Absolutely fact they put together and released the comprehensive plan to address hoping I'd addiction and overdose in the city last October. So what are you doing over Woodbridge house grace house to be part of that solution. Well we definitely are at the table. When the meetings take place and they're very receptive to all the feedback you know we and other providers. And other health care professionals are there as well as. You know it always has to be a multifaceted. Approach and so. You need treatment there you need prevention people there unique law enforcement there as much as you don't wanna. On talk about that they'd found. Quite often the first responders which could be seen police are the first people on the scene for an overdose and so the city has. You know train the police force now to administer the antidote which is no locks on or. Or narc can. And and so it it really will take a comprehensive effort is just like in you know any other thing if you don't have a comprehensive plan. He'll have little chance of really solving the problem. So how are you all help paying for the near the populations they use her deal with deal all feel like crisis. Well of course you know we we offer. Very specific treatment. To address that. And we are here for they for the individuals and you know Oprah tells grace houses and in the community for 61 years now. And have always been here for that person who. May not be able to receive treatment elsewhere. And so we are we are really on the front lines of receiving people again getting them into detox and then getting them into treatment. Were on the front lines of that and we have seen you know just in our a big increase in opiates being the drug of choice. And then unfortunately on the other hand we have seen a lot more on death than we've ever seen before. And so it's it's fifty plus percent of the people we treat our opiate addicted. So on you know we are meeting the problem head on and me and wanna make ourselves available to just anyone who needs our services. But then also in collaboration with the sitting. Because the population that you serve the people that you held on many of them don't have permanent housing does that present a particular challenge to getting treatment. Well it does and so that you know they're armed with the Medicaid expansion. It of course services are available to a lot more people. However the in order to receive Medicaid you have to be enrolled in Medicaid so one of the first things that we do as someone comes in. You know we never asked the question. How are you gonna pay for this of so many presents for services. We're gonna see if they're going to be able to be within our program. And then if they are then we go after how it's going to be paid for afterwards if it's going to be paid for at all and we still have a a certain percentage of our population. Who have zero resources and so we are not gonna turn that person away so we are relieved their for every one. And so when you look at Elsa. He's joining us Elsa Peter son that she's the CEO of rich house grace house. Also when you look at health and and and prevention and Billy addressing a behavioral health how significant is that what does that really. Mean. Well behavioral health you know. You have to address sort of the core issues related to addiction. And so the people become addictive for many different reasons. But quite often and they're dealing with the feelings that are unpleasant. Maybe pain in the OP going to epidemic that is a big. Driver. The beginnings of abuse and some sort of a pain intervention. And and then just at that you know that the physical thing you become psychologically and physically addicted to a drug. And so it's moving away from them and using different coping skills and so really it's about. You know learning how to live again re learning habits of living. Which is part of our philosophy of the long term treatment. We feel like and you know people have to learn the habits of recovery so to speak. And so calm and eat eat eat you can't just walk the walk you really need. You need to you can't talk the talk arms are you need to really walk the walk and so. By having extended treatment were able to hopefully establish stacked so it is a big behavior shift. Well this Sunday is really kicking off several days of the carnival season Mardi Gras we've really got a beautiful throw coming up this particular weekend and then leading up to Fat Tuesday. Why does is supporting recovery particularly during this time you're so important. Well you know New Orleans is the party sitting in this is the biggest party of the mall and so. Individuals who are attempting to be in recovering. Need to be extremely wary. You know and there there are expressions and alcoholics anonymous like people places and things. We have to watch who you're you're associating win us why you're associating with them. And Europe I mean I know of many many groups in the city who are. Groups of recovering people who get together and enjoy Mardi Gras but they have each other they are for support and so you're not. Just. Out there on your own so it's really good to seek support in and have a little support group around you all the time. And you know one of the biggest pitfalls of of addiction I think and it's feeling isolated and alone. And you know and particularly at a time you know holidays are famous for this at Christmas college any holidays. If like what what's wrong with me I have no want Mardi Gras everybody's found him and a good time except for me. But if you seek safety in numbers and get around people who are of like mind. And you can still have a lot of fun in as sort of the cross over four for recovery is that realizing that your life isn't over that you can still have a good time. They're still planning of bond fund to be hand. And get around people who are of the same mind. So how do you get help especially doing Marty growl when there's so much going on in the U think the kind of closed and in a person may find themselves trying to go along with find themselves in trouble. Well of course university medical center is always. A resource. On me. There are an Miree ends of alcoholics anonymous meetings around town in narcotics anonymous. You know to associate yourself with one of those groups you can you can literally pick up the phone in and find out where meaning is almost a meeting happening all the time. So that information is available from the central office at any and they always have some money that the really great service they offer. Always have someone to answer the phone manner so. There are resources available we look at the Mardi Gras season and how maintaining and being supported through your recovery is important. What about purpose how important is the purpose and the lion and really knowing that that you have mean meaningful daily activities. Well that is found I think that is the key. To sustained recovery is you know. Finding yourself working yourself out of the dated day addicted lifestyle. And then finding something to attach yourself and has a purpose to it many people do down in all different ways bank. A big. Principle of recovery service. And that you reach out to another person perhaps struggling with addiction. Or I'm just as some sort of community service that you are always connecting yourself with something positive in the community and also gives me you know your life meaning. Ride and and this is such a spiritual way because whether it's going through addiction or if you need something for your business. When you pray and support someone else write it comes back to you and it helps you really have a good perspective one under first. And right in India's. You know. In the early stages of recovery and you know people have sponsors. And and there working with other drug addicts or alcoholics and that you know itself is rewarding and then as you growing your recovery you expand that. And become community service orient and in and out and does create that sense of purpose. Us they joined by the CEO of brick house great house. Els up Peterson and again that you are right she said 61 as the 61 anniversary. Of that virus that time that the brick house opens its doors and now it's also great house as well. Talk a little bit about how important it is for continued support from the community and funding to keep the war mark that you do around for another 61 plus years. Right well. I hope and everyone listening knows that we have beautiful thrift stores. We have terrific events and now we also having used car. Component to our fundraising and so. You know we are a little bit unique in those areas and I'm not only do they raise money for. What we do and we are still paying for a number of fans despite the through those initiatives despite the fact that Medicaid has expanded. There's still a greater need than that. So. We are and we are doing that and we also have and many terrific events every year and so. Anyone who won in any information can go to our website www. Breach house dot org and find the appropriate place ago. The part of what we do as well and you know this is this is part of hand in glove with what you were talking about with the sense of purpose. So we have both a work therapy program which are not residents participated in. Everybody after a certain period of time has some sort of a job in the house. And and so on and there is a sense that you know you are keeping the door open for the person who needs to walk and behind you. By the by participating in this and you were also living. You're learning data daily living skills and how to be just appropriate. On added jobs shiny and and contributing to something greater than yourself and so we start to instill that very early on on it within our treatment model. We've been talking about open your eyes addiction and and the kind of epidemic crisis in talking about substance abuse. You know with a 61 years of that has been quite an evolution of substance abuse treatments treatments so. Talk a little bit about how we now know some of the more effective voice to handle this. Well. It. Have a lot of gratitude and that for the evolution of this point for many many years. There has been such a stigma. Associated. Went folks who have an addiction. And seen as a moral failings. Just somebody who just needs to get their act together and and now. You know the shift has really begun on the education has increased main mission to phrase it that way. Where it is really being recognized as a as a brain disease and then. This is something that needs to be treated just as any other disease would be treated. We still have a tendency as a society are believed to be a little bit punitive with. People who have addictions. People are going to relapse and you know that then the common comparison is in a few being treated for diabetes. And you're in getting certain instructions from your doctor and you know he's you stray. Your doctor is not gonna say well you know I'm not gonna treat you anymore. And so. You know we have had a long standing tradition of never turning anybody away for treatment regardless of how many times they've been and but that is getting to be more universal a more universal understanding and then the introduction of the medically assisted therapies. Which are very important for the OP -- crisis. So we've covered so much today thank you for being with that tells us. And of course you want people to do is check out brick house a grace house support as much as possible. Is there a web site are are a good number and the website is www. Bridge house Don ward. And the number for intake which I'd like to share is 8217120821712. So I think he's someone thank you Els Els for Peterson leads CEO of rich house grace us. On June 4 two days thinking so much for joining us from telling me it's time to enjoy Sunday and blue room.